First, The article was written contesting the notion that has been gaining steam on WCG, ESPN and it’s east-coast bias not withstanding, that the division is among the strongest in the NFL. I was not agreeing with the argument, but questioning it. Can you please direct me to the quotes in which I stated that i believed the notion? I didn’t think so……..

Now, I agree with you on Detroit (or you agreed with me. Whichever) and I mostly agree with you on Green Bay, though I think you underestimate the Pack a bit, and overestimate the ViQueens a bit, as well.

But explain to me how the Vikings improved their team in the offseason? Maybe it was in relying on a Quarterback in Brett Favre who will turn 41 mid-season, and who has led three straight teams in three straight seasons to playoff losses with late game INTs, two of which came in the NFC Championship? Maybe it was in trading out of the first round, only to try and trade back into it to get at CB Kyle Wilson, only to fail, and end up drafting Chris Cook as a consolation prize, a guy who missed all of the 2008 season for academic reasons, and is considered to be too slow by many scouts and sportswriters (Kyle Wilson has a 91 rating at draftace.come, while Cook has a 73. Most scouting sites seem to have the same concerns with Cook and the same high regard for Wilson) and though he does have great size for a corner, he is generally considered too slow for a corner and not physical enough for safety, making him a man without a position (Can you see a case of DMS coming on?) and taken above the 3rd round estimate where most third round scouting sites had him listed. Well see how that turns out. Maybe it was the hiring of Greg Shelton as the assistant defensive Backs coach? Or the signing of 29 year old has-been CB Lito Sheppard? Or former Pats WR Greg Lewis? I seriously doubt that Sheppard will regain his former status. And Greg Lewis will get less RECs in Minnesota than he did in New England, for sure. He almost certainly won’t crack the top three receivers. Maybe it will be a lack of change that will improve the ViQueens offensive line, which has dropped in league ranking from 5th in run blocking in ‘07 to 18th in ’08, to 32nd in ’09 (or maybe drafting Chris DeGeare in the fifth was supposed to fix the problem…..but wait! Is DeGeare the same guy who is criticized for not being able to get the mental aspects of the game at even the college level? And isn’t he the same guy who missed the entire 2008 season for academic reasons? No that was Chris Cook, right? Wait!!!! It was both of them? Seems like a pattern forming here). Because, as you said……..You can’t improve by letting go of starters. Right? Which leads me to………..Maybe it was letting go of Chester Taylor, who was half of arguably the second best RB tandem in the league? Wait, didn’t you say that you can’t get better by letting go of former starters, right? Hmmmmm. Or maybe the best thing that Minnesota did to improve was filibustering the Williams Wall’s suspensions? I mean, heck, if Pat and Kevin can dodge blockers as well as they’ve been able to dodge the consequences of their actions, then Minnesota should be able to break some sack records this year!!!!

And as for Tarvaris Jackson and the 2008 Minnesota Vikings? Well, you are just wrong. Sure, the Vikings took the division that year……….behind Gus Frerotte, who was 8-3 as the starter for the ViQueens. Tarvaris had a losing regular season record at 2-3, then took the 10-6 ViQueens into the NFC Wildcard game and lost to the Wildcard Eagles with a very, very playoff-loss-worthy 15 for 35 for 164 yards and 1 interception stat line. In fact, Tarvaris has a very Kyle Orton-ish 77.9 career QB rating. But I think the most telling thing about the confidence that lies with Tarvaris was this line…….

I confidently believe that with Brett the rest of the North are merely speed bumps

So, if you have so much confidence in Jackson, why and the qualifier “with Brett”? Me think that you should really convince yourself first, before trying to convince others, lmao!!

And as to your take on the Bears? First, the key part of this statement……

But I regretably have to say ……You can’t improve by letting go of former starters

………is the inclusion of the word former. As in not anymore. I have to assume you are talking about Ogunleye and Alex Brown, as you didn’t see fit to actually make clear who you were talking about. In that case, Ogunleye was, regrettably, an over-the-hill DE who the Bears replaced with Julius Peppers. And Brown was an average, though well liked in Chicago, DE that will be replaced by, at worst, and average DE in either Mark Anderson or Izzy Idonije, and at best by Corey Wootten, who might be the steal of the draft, if Wootten can reach his potential. Remember that Corey was considered a first round prospect before injury concerns left him falling in Chicago’s lap at the 109th pick in the 4th round. So, I would say that Chicago did improve by letting former starters go…….

Now, I asked exactly what Minnesota really did to improve over last year? So it’s only fair that I do the same for Chicago. So, while Minnesota was really pretty stagnant, Chicago went out and got the best FA defensive end available in Julius Peppers, the best running back available in Chester Taylor, and the best blocking tight end available in Brandon Manumaleuna. They then went out and hired Mike Martz to run the offense, Mike Tice to coach the ailing offensive line, as well as Mike Debord to coach the TEs, Eric Washington to coach the D-Line and Shane Day to coach the QBs. Oh, and they drafted Major Wright, who will most likely actually contribute this season as a starting safety, as well as DE Corey Wootten in the 4th round, who many analysts are predicting to be the steal of the draft and has a chance to earn the starting left DE spot. The Bears also moved to improve the Offensive line by letting Orlando Pace go (another one of those pesky “improving by letting you former starts” go thingamajigs) and placing 2008 first round selection Chris Williams into his natural position at left tackle, where he excelled while replacing Pace for the last 5 games, most notably holding Jerad Allen to a goose-egg in Chicago’s week 16 victory over the ViQueens. They also placed Frank Omiyale back at his natural position of RT, which should also be an improvement.

And finally, I find it interesting that someone who opens up a discussion by taunting my name then finishes his post with a challenge not to taunt him about his incredibly poor grammar. OMG, how hilarious is that? Have problems with that complex much, do we? lmao!

Now…….your post has been found dissected and found wanting. This kind of drivel might pass for informative or even intelligent over at DN, but here, we just call it what it is. Lacking. Did I get all that across well enough for you? Or was I stuttering too much?

One at a time.

Hard to be passed over by everyone when you’re signed on the first day of free agency. The Bears got who they wanted.

Brett and three playoff losses . Who was the last Bear’s QB to play in 3 playoff games . 85’ would be a logical guess. Any others ? I doubt .Weak arguement to referrenceBrett don’t ya think ?

Illogical argument fails logic, safely ignored. By the way, answer, Rex Grossman, 2006-2007 Playoffs. Something about reaching a Super Bowl in the last decade – oh, sorry, sore spot?

Let me play your game on this one . Cook/Lito and Wright/retread . We target our DB’s by going after a high 2nd rder and a vet . Who by the wayis excellerating on the PR team . You get a mid 3rd and a guy who couldn’t make your own 53 a few years back . And your point is ? On this area alone we made much greater improvements . Wouldn’t you say ? What was Wright’s rating since you started with the facts . Ya . Thought so .

Lito Sheppard, former Eagle, now making the rounds of the league, not a retread by your definition? Former Pro Bowlers are just that sometimes, former.

Lewis was the year before . A resign , Marko Mitchell was brought in to test that signing . Do you really want to critisize WR’s . When we got Berrian he was a solid #2 forced to play #1 . Hester could be a probowl slot . You haven’t got a #1 . Get one and then talk to me about WR’s.

Need you be reminded about the overtime result last year, game 2? Go watch it on YouTube.

We’ll talk Martz now . He brings in his own loyal groupies . He throws out talent . Oleson ring a bell ! He will devistate your future . Word out is that Cutler and the coach are already at odds . $00 yard passing losses are still losses . The schedule is filled with great run defense teams . One dimensional Cutler won’t have a chance . That’s not a knock on Cutler . He will thrive after a rebuildng process . Caused by his pricetag .

… What groupies? Olsen hasn’t been thrown out yet, Martz acknowledged his receiving talent.

Wow !!! You really want to talk OL ??? DeGeare wasn’t a pick I wanted . We have five starters though . You mentioned playing two backups and calling that an improvement . How ?? Williams natural position so far has been the bench . I’ll give you credit . You pegged Orlando Pace so I wouldn’t have too . But no free pass . This team plugs holes with idiots sometimes . Kruetz , that’s old . Who even relieves him . The Williams’ only taunt one guy every year and he is the one .I’d go on but even Doc Goth can’t stop the bleeding on your line .

Backups? Nonono, you’ve got this one wrong… It’s called “finally playing guys to their position.” Pace sucked, because of him Williams was shifted to RT, the natural RT Shaffer was benched, Omiyale is also naturally a tackle and was shifting to guard, new position. Garza and Kreutz were themselves. And Beekman’s trying to move in as our new center after Kreutz retires, but Kreutz is still serviceable.

One last bit too chew on Everson Griffen Vs. Wooten in 2010 . Who was rated higher . Which ran a 4.59 at 263 lbs. ? Who benched more ? Which had major surgery ? Even though you drafted about 15 spos ahead of us ? How can you even compare the quality of our guys ? You came into this gunfight without ammunition . Peppers is a temporary fix to bail out your DB’s . What did you have to lose to get him? This years schedule is slightly tougher . You don’t matchup well . We’ll get into that later .

.. WHAT?! If there’s two things learned about the combine, it’s that it doesn’t matter and it doesn’t matter. Wooten had major surgery and should be ready to go. Peppers can take over a game at the drop of a hat. Name two other DEs that can do that. And we only lost an average DE in Brown and an older but declining DE in Ogunleye. So, nothing of import.

………..It’s good to see someone isn’t aftraid to have a view . But we are too stacked for you to defend yourself onthis one .

You may have a good team – based on last year you sure do. But if a lot of things go the Bears way – namely, a year of growth, a more aggressive offense, the return of several healthy playmakers – don’t come crying to us with your unreadable and illogical arguments.

Since you called me out, I have no problems embarrassing you further…………

You mentioned who had a better off season .We brought back about 10 Probowlers and got thru OTA’s completely healthy . Can you say that . Oops ! So much for domination Reffer ! You went out in free agency and found an excellant DE . Hot and cold like Jared .Not to skip to the bottom of your defense but….Thomas was the best free agent . Just not available to the team that dumped on him . Best blocking back ? Nobody wanted him . He was passed over by everyone .

So, since your Queens sent 8 players to the pro-bowl last season, including STer Farwell, I can only assume that you’re including players that have been to at least one pro-bowl. Well, that means the Bears are going into the season with Brian Urlacher, Tommie Harris, Lance Briggs, Julius Peppers, Olin Kruetz, Devin Hester, Jay Cutler and Johnny Knox……that would be eight and, to quote Dick Van Patten, “Eight is Enough”. Now, Thomas, as in Pierre Thomas, was the best player in FA? It’s statements like this that total make anything you say questionable. Thomas wasn’t even the highest ranked RB in FA. That would be Chester Taylor according to Bleacher Report. Thomas was generally ranked between 4th and 6th on most sites or at least the ones that included RFAs, which most don’t as RFAs seldom leave their teams. So, again, the Bears got the best FA RB available this year. And where did I call him the best blocking back, BTW? Reading is fundamental. I said we got the best blocking tight end. Apparently you don’t just have issues with writing, but with reading as well. But back to Taylor, you are full of crap. Nobody wanted him, really? He was passed over by everyone? How was that when the Bears signed him on the first day of FA? Explain that one, because it really sounds like you’re just throwing crap around and hoping it sticks.

Brett and three playoff losses . Who was the last Bear’s QB to play in 3 playoff games . 85’ would be a logical guess. Any others ? I doubt .Weak arguement to referrenceBrett don’t ya think ?

Rex Grossman. Divisional Round ‘06, NFC Championship Round, ’06 and Super Bowl ’06. Now, good ol’ Sexy Rexy did something interesting there. He won a Championship Game within the last decade. For all of Favre’s stats and records, when is the last time he won a championship game? Wait for it……….1997 season, folks! To put that in perspective, Peyton Manning was drafted first overall just 3 months later. But of course, this probably looks good to a Queens fan, since the last time anyone saw a Queen win a championship game was 21 years before that. It’s been since the ‘76 post-season since a Queen QB was able to lead the purple pansies to the Super Bowl only to lose for the fourth and final time. So no, I don’t think it’s a weak argument at all. You’re trying to get to the Super Bowl for the first time in 34 years on the arm of a 41-year-old who has choked in the playoffs or in the run up to the playoffs three straight years

You know, an interesting thing about Favre doesn’t get discussed much. Up until the Super Loss in 1997, Brett Favre was 9-3 in playoff games and was 2-1 in Conference Championship games. From that game on, Favre is 4-8 and 0-2 in Conference Championships. Seems like Grandpa may have a problem. He never got over that Super Loss. And I think that’s why he can’t retire. Good luck with that. Anyone want to take bets on which playoff game chokes the Vikings to a loss in?

Let me play your game on this one . Cook/Lito and Wright/retread . We target our DB’s by going after a high 2nd rder and a vet . Who by the wayis excellerating on the PR team . You get a mid 3rd and a guy who couldn’t make your own 53 a few years back . And your point is ? On this area alone we made much greater improvements . Wouldn’t you say ? What was Wright’s rating since you started with the facts . Ya . Thought so .

Cook=project taken too high in the draft, as I demonstrated in the earlier post. Lito=over the hill has-been that will provide decent depth, but nothing else. BTW, Lito hasn’t done returns since 2006, when he returned on kick off for a measly 16 yards. He’s returned all of 9 kicks in his whole career. And you want to place your returning duties in those hands? Be my guest.

Now, you’re right about a Wright being a mid third rounder. So was Lance Briggs. Nothing to them third rounders, huh? As to Chris Harris, He was never cut from the 53 man roster. He was traded after the Bears brought in former pro-bowler Adam Archuleta. Get your fact straight. The Bears made a mistake, and now they corrected it. In case you didn’t notice, the Bears secondary now possesses the League’s two best football strippers (Chris Harris and Peanut Tillman) in the league, and your Queens possess the leagues best fumbler (Adrian Peterson). I can see why you (and AP) don’t like the idea of Chris Harris being a Bear.

We’ll talk Martz now . He brings in his own loyal groupies . He throws out talent . Oleson ring a bell ! He will devistate your future . Word out is that Cutler and the coach are already at odds . $00 yard passing losses are still losses . The schedule is filled with great run defense teams . One dimensional Cutler won’t have a chance . That’s not a knock on Cutler . He will thrive after a rebuildng process . Caused by his pricetag .

Sooooo…..who are those groupies again? Brandon Manumaleuna? Cause that’s the only offensive player the Bears signed that he worked with. And who’s he throwing out? Olsen? Funny, cause it sure seems like he believes Olsen will be a big part of the offense, based on what he’s said in interviews that you can read on the Bears Official Site, but I like this ESPN article best. Maybe Martz just hasn’t had a TE before who was both a great receiver and mature enough to handle being in the NFL. As far as being one dimensional, Martz offenses average about the same number of rushing plays as the Bears offense had last season. Don’t count on Forte and Taylor just sitting around watching the action, hero. As far as rebuilding, I think the Bears are in more of a tweaking mode that was brought on by poor personnel evaluations, not by the Cutler trade. If two first round picks doom a team, then the team has more problems then two first round picks could have fixed. We gave up 2 first round picks and a third round pick for two pro-bowlers. remember that Chicago got a 5th rounder, as well, that became Johnny Knox. That’s two Pro-Bowlers for two first round picks and a third, is it not? Maybe that wasn’t such a devastating trade to the team. What do you think? Which brings me to you, again throwing crap around and hoping it sticks with the “Cutler and Martz already at odds” comment. Cite a source, please. Because this, this and this all indicate that you are filled uvula high with fecal matter. Just sayin’……..

Wow !!! You really want to talk OL ??? DeGeare wasn’t a pick I wanted . We have five starters though . You mentioned playing two backups and calling that an improvement . How ?? Williams natural position so far has been the bench . I’ll give you credit . You pegged Orlando Pace so I wouldn’t have too . But no free pass . This team plugs holes with idiots sometimes . Kruetz , that’s old . Who even relieves him . The Williams’ only taunt one guy every year and he is the one .I’d go on but even Doc Goth can’t stop the bleeding on your line .

I don’t care if you wanted DeGeare or not, that’s who the Queens took. Now, you sure do have 5 starters. Too bad that they were the worst ranked run blocking line in the NFL. Sure, they can pass block. But that’s only 50% of the game, Gomer. Williams was a starting tackle last season, Genius. He started all 16 games. Try informing yourself before trying to inform us. Williams was the guy who, once again, pwned Jared Allen in the week 16 game last year. I can see why you’d want to forget that, though, considering that now Allen will have to face Chris Williams twice a year. To recap: Chris Williams+Jared Allen equaled pwned mullet last year and will equal pwned Allen twice a year from here on out. As for Kruetz, he spent the whole year injured last season with bone spurs, and the tough SOB still played hard and a healthy Kruetz will anchor the Bears line this year more than serviceably. The Williams Wall can taunt whomever they chose, but my understanding is that their issue with Olin has more to do with his “dirty” player rating than his ability.

If ? Williams wall ? You don’t read much on their case obviously . State court gave them the right to sue the NFL later . NFL was approved then un approved to suspend . NFL was turned dwn by Supreme to appeal . Late Octto mid November before the NFL can reapply . They are trying to protect an illegal contract formed with the Union . If isn’t the question .

Again, reading is fundamental. You should try it. I never questioned whether the aging Williams Wall was going to play. I said……… I mean, heck, if Pat and Kevin can dodge blockers as well as they’ve been able to dodge the consequences of their actions, then Minnesota should be able to break some sack records this year!!!!

Nowhere in that statement do I say the chances of the Williams Dancing Act playing football were in jeopardy. Do I? I’m really getting sick of walking you through simple Engish, man. Get a GED or something.

Your greatest chance to beat the Vikes was in the snow . Darn , Goodell prevented any Vike matchups in the snow this year .After Thanksgiving the Division willall be laid out .

Funny, I don’t remember snow on the field last December when this happened. You just keep ’em coming, lol……..

?You failed to mention Tarvaris the following year . His over 500% record . And a win in GB .

hmmmmm…….somebody help me. I thought the year ofter 2008 was 2009. And in 2009, Brett Favre started all 16 games. Tarvaris started ZERO! Ouch. Guy doesn’t know his own team.

Coachs ?? Every analyst said last year that too many new coaches will destroy the Bears .

Please link to these articles or videos by some of these analysts. Because I think this is another example of you being full of it. But I could be wrong. I doubt it, but it’s almost possible.

One last bit too chew on Everson Griffen Vs. Wooten in 2010 . Who was rated higher . Which ran a 4.59 at 263 lbs. ? Who benched more ? Which had major surgery ? Even though you drafted about 15 spos ahead of us ? How can you even compare the quality of our guys ? You came into this gunfight without ammunition

Both of these players were expected at one point to be 1st rounders. We know why Wootton dropped. Worry over the knee injury. Otherwise he was a sure first rounder. Do you know why Griffen dropped? Because he was an underachiever at USC, and after his interviews, all 32 NFL teams believed that he was a huge risk to shut down and coast after he gets paid. He was being compared to Antaaj Hawthorne, who was a first round talent that dropped all the way to the sixth because of the same kind of character issues back in 2005. Where is he now? Playing in Arizona…….for the AFL’s Arizona Rattlers…….That just may be what you’re comparing Corey Wootton to. I’ll take a guy recovering from ACL surgery (How many NFL Players have been through that? Tons…..) over a player who might be the next Antaaj Hawthorne or JaMarcus Russell any day. That’s one way I can compare them.

And Griffen ran a 4.66 at the combine not a 4.59 as you claimed (second to 136th pick Dexter Davis, who ran a 4.64. Shows you where speed places in importance, doesn’t it. The two fastest DE Prospects were picked 100th and 136th.) Wootton ran a 4.93, which is average, but he was also reported not 100% because of knee and quad problems. Also, you claimed we picked Wootton 15 spots ahead of Griffen. Once again I have to slap down the trusty BS card. We picked Wootton 9 picks AFTER the Queens grabbed Griffen.

BTW, Corey Wooton and Everson Griffin were both 5 star recruits out of high school….in different year. They were never ranked against each other out of high school so there was never any high school comparison as you claimed. So one was never ranked higher than the other. Once again, you’re just throwing stuff out there to see if it sticks.

Call Peppers whatever you want (I believe you called him a temporary fix. Same could be said for Allen, BTW). But Brett Favre and the rest will just call him terrifying. As far as schedule goes, The Vikings have the toughest Strength of Schedule in non-division games for NFC North teams. With divisional games always being a crap shoot, those non-divisional games will likely decide everything, in the end. I’d say, being that we split with your Queens last season, and the Bears improved while the Queens just stagnated, I like how well we match up just fine.

Face it, if you were looking at the Giants instead of the Vikings, you would see that all the Queens did was get a year older. I know it hurts, but you don’t have to come over here and try to rain on our parade. That’s called a dysfunctional coping issue. You should seek help.

And, since you offered me a tidbit to “chew on”, I offer one in return. Toby Gerhart ran for 1871 yards and 28 TDs……in college. To give you an idea of how much that matters in the NFL, let me shed some light on two of the most prolific rushers in NCAA History and one of the greatest rushers in the history of the NFL.

First……Adrian Peterson. Was drafted after becoming the NCAAs Division I all-time leading rusher. He rushed for 6543 yards and 111 TDs and 160.4 yards per game in 4 seasons (If you’re keeping score, that’s an average of 1636 yards and 28 TDs a year. Holy Bejesus!). Also holds the record for consecutive 100 yard games with 36 and is the NCAAs career points leader with 524. As a Sophomore he rushed for…….get this…..2704 yards and 40 touchdowns! And we all know how great he is now with the Minnesota Vikings…….wait….what do you mean he’s not that Adrian Peterson? No, folks. It’s not Adrian L. Peterson of the Minnesota Queens, but Adrian N. Peterson, formerly of the Chicago Bears, who in his 8 years as a Bear managered a whopping 1283 yards and 8 TDs. Lets here it for college stats, people!

Second………Garrett Wolfe….This is the story of the little Engine that could (in college). Mighty mite Garrett Wolfe was another huge success in college. In three seasons, Wolfe rushed for 5172 yards and 52 TDS (again, for those keeping score, that comes out to about 1724 yards and 17 TDS per season) Wolfe was dynamite in a bottle. But…..his three years in Chicago have brought about all of 274 yards and 1 TD.

And finally, there was……James Nathaniel Brown, otherwise known as Jim. Jim was a good back in college. All-American, in fact. But Jim ’s best season saw only 986 yards and 14 TDs. Not bad, especially considering he played for Syracuse and they only played eight games that season. But nowhere near the kinds of numbers that Adrian N Peterson, Garrett Wolfe or Toby Gerhart ran up. Of course, he went on to be one of, if not the most revered running backs in NFL History, Rushing for 12312 yards and 106 touchdowns in 9 seasons, garnering 9 Pro-Bowls and 8 first team All-Pro selections. In 1958, he rushed for 1527 yards and 17 TDs in a 12 game season. In 1963 he rushed for 1863 yards and 12 TDs in a 14 game season. Jim Brown deserves to be in the conversation for greatest football player ever. Yet he never reached the 1000 yard mark in college.

In other words, college stats don’t mean S#!T. If Gerhart is successful, it will have nothing to do with his college success, but instead with how well he adapts to the pros. As far as him getting boatloads of TDs, I doubt it seriously, when you have the best all around back the league has seen since Sweetness plowing the rock through at the goal line. But you never know. I liked Toby a lot in the weeks coming up on the draft. He certainly has the tools, I think. But I don’t know if he will get the opportunity.